Avalanche Forecast

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A widespread natural avalanche cycle Tuesday/Wednesday was triggered by heavy snowfall turning to heavy rain at most elevations. Avalanches to size 3.5 were showing very wide propagation across terrain features and running far into the runout zones.

Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but conditions remain prime for human triggered avalanches. Some of our near neighbours are reporting being able to remotely trigger sz 2 avalanches from 10-20m away!

5-10cms of new snow sits on top of a rain crust that exists up to about 2200m.

Approximately 50cms of new snow has fallen over the last few days with very warm temperatures. This moist heavy snow sits on top of a large, weak layer of surface hoar.

Height of snow at treeline is about 130 cms which is below average for this time of year. Many early-season hazards still exist at or just below the snow surface.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak, sugary facets in most areas.

Friday we will experience a cooling & drying trend as the storm exits the region and high pressure sets up.

Tonight: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine low of -10°C. Winds: West 15km/hr. Freezing level 800m

Fri: Cloudy w Sunny periods, isolated flurries. Alpine high of -10°C. Winds: West 15km/hr. Freezing level 600m

Sat: Mainly cloudy with flurries, 4cms new snow. Freezing level 600m

• Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
• Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.